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Shane Roberston & Hepburn Print E-mail
Hepburn FCShane Robertson still loves a challenge, 20 years after playing on a Brownlow Medallist on Grand Final day at the MCG.

A member of Carlton’s ’87 premiership team, Robertson is still chasing silverware as non-playing coach of tiny Hepburn in the Central Highlands.

The loss last weekend of his two best forwards Leigh Cox and Jack Douglas is a setback, but one he hopes can be overcome in the run into the final series.

“It’s what footy is all about, the different challenges you face every week, whether playing or coaching,” he said.

Full forward Cox kicked 87 goals in the first 14 rounds before injuring a hamstring last weekend. He’s unlikely to play until mid August.

Centre half forward Douglas also missed yesterday’s game against Ballan with a back injury, which required scans.

Robertson says the versatility of his team will be fully tested in the last fortnight before the start of the play-offs and he has asked all of his players to really “stand up” and help the team maintain its winning ways.

Among  his team’s most consistent players this season have been Cox, originally recruited purely as a flanker, ex-Bullant Ross Mann and Craig Leehane, who both rotate  from half-back to wing.

Also among Hepburn’s best are Andy McKay and Sam Newton.

Robertson says Cox, a Collingwood six-footer, is among the very best country players he has seen and is pivotal to Hepburn’s premiership chances.

“He’s got a great pair of hands, the best I’ve seen in country footy and I have been coaching now for 16-17 years,” he said. “He’d been playing only on a  back-flank and sometimes a forward flank at Darley. He’s incredibly talented and a pleasure to coach.”

Robertson says Hepburn is looking forward to a re-match against Daylesford, the reigning premiers, which defeated them in the opening month.

“They are our closest rivals and a good even team,” he says.

“We lost it in the third quarter last time. Against quality sides like them you can’t afford to relax for a minute. Come the finals they are the team to beat for sure.”

Robertson says the Hepburn administration headed by Eddie Comelli and Jason Olver put hours into the club ensuring everything runs smoothly. “We are only a small town compared with Daylesford but there is a real feeling of togetherness amongst us. We get up to Dooley’s (Hotel) on a Saturday night and stick together as much as we can.

“This is the time when we really need each other, too, with a couple of our best players on the sidelines and the finals approaching.

“The weather hasn’t been too kind for us over the last few weeks, but it’ll improve and that will help everyone get some more spring in their step. You can tell that spring isn’t too far away. We’re very motivated.”

Now 44, Robertson is still able to mix it at training with the younger blokes, despite three knee and three shoulder reconstructions and a broken neck.

“The doctors told me not to play once I broke my neck but I got through another five years,” he said.

“It’s still fun running around now, though I am a lot slower. It’s good to take on the 21 and 22-year-olds and see if you can still embarrass them a little. It helps them to improve. “This is the time of year I particularly like working with the kids,  talking about past experiences and what finals football is all about. This is the time for them to shine and something for them to remember the rest of their lives.

“It doesn’t matter where you win the flag, in what league or town. They are all special and there is bond with that particular group which is unbreakable.”

Robertson spent a decade at Princes Park from the Under 19s up and says every day was a privilege, especially playing alongside some of the genuine icons of the time including Bruce Doull, Ken Hunter, Stephen Kernahan, Craig Bradley and many others.

He averaged less than 10 games a year with the Blues for 80-odd all up but says he wouldn’t trade his experiences with anyone.

Speaking of the ‘87 Carlton-Hawthorn Grand Final – the most memorable match of his career -- he admits he was “towelled up” early by Hawthorn’s high-profile Brownlow Medallist Robert DiPierdomenico but he came back strongly after half-time, being prominent in Carlton’s win.

“I was only 23 at the time so it was daunting thing, playing in front of all those people and on someone who’d just won the Medal” he said.

“But Robert Walls (Carlton’s coach) respected what I could do and had confidence in me. It might have been a different story mind you had Melbourne got through and Robert Flower had been on one of the wings!”

Robertson said hours of planning went into Carlton’s game and it was a significant factor in the win, the only time the all-conquering Hawks were stopped on Grand Final day in four consecutive play-offs from 1986-89.

He would have liked to have played 100 games at Carlton but says the involvement was paramount.

“It was a thrill for a boy from Broadmeadows to spend 10 years at an elite club,” he says. “I was fortunate enough to play in six Grand Finals in the seniors and the reserves in that time, including the ‘82 night Grand Final. Not too many can say they have played six Grand Finals in 10 years, regardless of the level, at a club like Carlton. It was an honor just to be involved.”

The’ 87 Grand Final was played in 38 degree conditions, the hottest on record. He says the Blues were fortunate to have had a week’s break prior to the match as they finished fresher and all over the top of the star-studded Hawks.

“Hawthorn was a very gifted side, but we had a lot of underrated footballers in our own side in that  match, too,” he said.

“There was a real belief amongst us. That’s what got us across the line. I’ve tried to use the lessons learnt that day in my coaching. You don’t necessarily have to be the most talented. But you can still make a contribution when it counts.”

He says he’d initially been “roped into coaching” in the bush but he has loved every moment.

“I like going to a struggling club and working with them to build success,” he said.

“I’m big on loyalty. You see a lot of coaches chop and change. But I’ve tried to be there for definite periods, rather than just a year here or there.

“I had six years at Daylesford,  five at Castlemaine, one with the (Northern) Bullants and the last five with Hepburn.

“Footy is in my blood. I love the game. The whole family loves it. It’s never been a problem being motivated when it comes to football.”

Robertson’s three older brothers Denis, Noel and Glen also tried out for the big League, at North Melbourne and Carlton without progressing too much past the Under 19s. His two teenage sons, Kane and Thomas also play, Kane making his debut in Hepburn’s firsts last month.

Being in the heart of spa country, Robertson says having a dip in the cool Daylesford waters is a regular part of Sunday rehab. He, too, joined in recently and said it was so freezing he now understands why most prefer ice baths!

He rates Castlemaine’s Stephen Oliver as the best country footballer he coached. “He kicked 132 goals one year and we won the flag. He could really play,” he said. “Locky Brown was another good one, too. He was also from Castlemaine.”


By Ken Piesse
 
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